The midcentury modern aesthetic has witnessed a major revival over the last few years, with many designers creating retro-inspired homes that encompass minimalist design principles.
Furniture is of course the main to bring the midcentury interior design style to life and when looking for retro-style, accessible pieces, IKEA is where many turn. Identified by its instantly recognizable retro, Scandi style, the brand has long been creating practical furniture that combines everyday living with elevated design. IKEA's contemporary collections often take inspiration from past styles, making their pieces iconic, individual, and full of signature style.
Its success can be attributed to several notable designers who helped establish its sturdy foundations. And pieces designed by the early design pioneers are now highly collectible and reach recording-breaking sale prices at auction. We've spoken to vintage furniture experts and the IKEA Museum who have filled us in on all the most iconic and valuable IKEA furniture from over the years.
1. CAVELLI - 1959
One of the most valuable vintage IKEA pieces to date is (unsurprisingly) one of the first to ever be designed. Created in 1959 the CAVELLI chair was designed by Bengt Ruda, one of the first IKEA designers.
Featured in the 1959 IKEA catalog, Ingvar Kamprad wrote: 'A confident designer has given this piece a bold construction. CAVELLI will get noticed in your home – and indeed admired. No expense has been spared and no stone left unturned to make CAVELLI an aristocrat of the 1960s.'
The IKEA Museum told us a little about Ruda's design background. 'When Bengt Ruda joined IKEA in 1957, he was the first qualified designer to be employed. He had designed furniture for Stockholm department store NK in the late 1940s and early 1950s. With his background, he had an important part to play, especially when IKEA started moving towards flat packs.'
The last CAVELLI to be sold was in 2021. It reached an astounding price of over $15,000 so keep your eyes peeled for this signature chair!
2. IMPALA - 1972
The most well-known of IKEA's mid-century style and furniture designs is likely the highly sought-after Impala lounge chair. The chair was designed by Gillis Lundgren for IKEA, Sweden, in the 1970s.
Dubbed 'very rare' by Anthony Barzilay Freund, Editorial Director at 1stDibs, the chair has been a bit of a hot commodity in recent years, making it tricky to find, let alone afford.
'The Impala has a unique, inviting form, with a plush, tufted fabric seat suspended within a modern tubular steel frame. In early promotions, IKEA compared the Impala to both a sofa bed and an easy chair,' says Anthony.
Julian Goldklang, Owner of Mid Century Møbler has sold many vintage IKEA pieces over the years. The Impala is one of Julian's all-time favorites, saying that the space-age style piece is 'maybe the most collectible'. Referring to a previously sold sofa, Julian says that the last Impala they had in stock (pictured above) 'was a beauty and still covered in its original fabric.'
Albeit hard to find, there's an original example of the Impala lounge chair available for sale on 1st Dibs. With its iconic history and iconic design, we can see why it's priced at over $12,500.
3. DIANA- 1972
Karin Mobring designed a minimal, lasting piece of furniture for IKEA around the time the Impala chair was launched. Although their styles are different, the DIANA chair has been equally popular among designers and collectors for years.
An earlier version of the DIANA was designed by the renowned Borge Mogensen in the 1950s. Taking inspiration from the initial design, Mobring introduced a pine frame and a fabric seat secured with leather straps.
'This leather and pine chair has developed a beautiful patina over time and calls to mind Borge Mogensen’s Safari chair.' says Anthony. 'Designers like Karin Mobring created pieces that reflect what we recognize today to be iconic Scandinavian design and are great alternatives to harder-to-find models by such designers as Borge Mogenson.'
'DIANA was an incredible success, and over the years IKEA launched several safari models – including the best seller CIKADA. But DIANA lasted the longest with 11 years in the IKEA catalog.' says the IKEA Museum.
Thanks to the internet it's much easier to find rare IKEA pieces. Despite its age, this DIANA chair designed by Mobring is still effortlessly chic and available to purchase.
4. SKYE- 1970s
Leather lounge chairs are classic piece of midcentury furniture. With the Eames chair debut in 1956, leather lounge chairs were seen as both contemporary and practical, making them the go-to choice for affluent homeowners. There are now several iconic examples of midcentury leather chairs, making the style an absolute staple for lovers of the past.
Drawing inspiration from trending furniture styles, IKEA created a minimal lounger made from leather and metal. Designed by Tord Bjorklund, one of IKEA's biggest trailblazers, the SKYE chair is now deemed a collector's item. 'No vintage IKEA collection is complete without a piece from the iconic Tord Björklund,' says Sophie Salata from Vinterior.
'This 70s lounge chair feels more imposing in nature, the leather continues to wear well with age, and combined with the chrome it’s a particularly eye-catching piece for those bold enough.'
Pieces designed by some of the iconic names are usually the most valuable. 'Well-made mid-century furniture designed by Karin Mobring (the Diana chair) Bengt Ruda (the Cavelli chair), Gillis Lundgreen (the Impala chair), and Tord Bjorklund are the standouts in the IKEA lineup of designs,' says Anthony from 1st Dibs.
A classic example of 70s minimalism, the SKYE chair is a sought-after piece that reaches high prices at auction. But fear not, it's all yours for $3,500 on the popular second-hand website Chairish.
5. Peanut stool- 1980s
IKEA has a long, evolving history which means there's a multitude of pieces one can shop nowadays. We have to admit that we'd never uncovered the Peanut Stool before speaking with the experts, but we're so glad we did.
Drawing inspiration from a peanut that makes it rather unconventional in shape, the stool is undoubtedly one of the most novel pieces of IKEA furniture that we've come across. It couldn't be more different from the SKYE leather lounger despite being designed not long after. Its uniqueness only emphasizes the distinct individuality of each decade that makes up the 20th century.
'The 80s rattan Peanut Stool is another one to look out for if you can find one in good condition. These organic shapes feel timeless and playful,' says Sophie from Vinterior.
This peanut stool is pristine, making its $1,000 price point justifiable. It's the perfect practical yet stylish piece for an entryway that's bound to get your guests talking.
6. GUIDE shelves- 1985
The GUIDE shelves will be part of IKEA's 2025 Nytillverkad line and will be reintroduced as BYAKORRE.
The GUIDE shelving unit is one of IKEA's most recognizable and popular pieces. Industrial and minimal in design, the shelves were designed to go alongside the MOMENT sofa which featured a similar metal framing inspired by shopping trolleys.
Niels Gammelgaard's architectural approach to design was synonymous with the postmodern period. His unprecedented creations have made him one of the most established names on the list of IKEA's many designers.
'The GUIDE shelves are much sought-after, and really put Niels Gammelgaard’s name on the map. The simple, industrial-looking design has made the piece popular across vintage reselling sites.' says the IKEA Museum. 'Originally, the bookcase cost approximately $73. Today, the popular bookcase is being resold for up to 18,500 SEK ($1,674 in US dollars).'
It's been forty years since the launch of the GUIDE shelves but their demand has not yet worn off, so it makes sense that they'll be featured in IKEA's latest Nytillverkad collection which draws upon iconic archival pieces from the middle of the 20th century.
'In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in vintage furniture, and we have seen that some of Ikea's previous designs have become collectibles. This includes the iconic GUIDE bookcase designed by Niels Gammelgaard. The shelf has an obvious 80’s design and is a collectible with many vintage enthusiasts', says Karin Gustavsson, Creative leader of Nytillverkad collection.
IKEA's GUIDE unit is so chic and colorful. It was featured in their catalogs for four years, meaning there are plenty still out there. But don't be fooled by their accessibility, they're still deemed as highly valuable pieces!
7. Vilbert chairs- 1992
As we've witnessed, many prominent IKEA designers chose to emphasize functionality over novelty by adopting a minimal design approach. The design landscape of the 1970s and 80s was therefore largely dominated by architectural and urban-inspired creations.
It therefore couldn't be clearer to define the 1990s when we look back at the history of furniture design. Color and playfulness began creeping in during the 1980s, which resulted in an increasing love of these styles by the time the final decade of the 20th century had arrived.
Defined by bold primary colors and unconventional shapes, 90s IKEA began to favor fun. 'Ikea’s iconic collaborations have stood the test of time, and certainly many pieces from the 70s, 80s, and 90s are now considered collector’s items. Favorites of ours include the Verner Panton Vilbert chairs. They didn’t sell well at the time and only 3000 were made which makes them all the more collectable now.' says Sophie from Vinterior.
Playful in color and shape, the Vilbert chairs are still surprisingly practical, designed to fold away during transportation or when stored. Verner Panton's iconic design isn't cheap, fetching large sums in the thousands.
8. NÄTÖN- mid 1990s
IKEA's PS Collection was introduced in the 1990s to assert its identity as a Scandinavian company. Several designers collaborated to create a line that was filled with unique yet innovative pieces accessible to the wider market.
Within the collection was the NÄTÖN chair designed by Mats Theselius. Using a combination of old and new design methods, Theselius incorporated brushed steel parts that supported the overall chair structure and added to the impactfulness of the design. 'The PS collections are centered around unique themes (recycled materials, highly transportable/adaptable designs) and the pieces are more innovative than what you’ll find in the standard IKEA offerings.' says Anthony from 1st Dibs.
IKEA's new design approach focused on harking back to the principles of the initial pioneers. It was they that established the brand's unique identity, through functional and quality designing. Pieces from the PS collection are historically inspired yet feel fresh and contemporary, making them valuable in today's market.
With its signature curved arms and legs, the NÄTÖN chair combines sophisticated design methods with everyday practicality. There are only a few available today, making the chair a bit of a prized possession to those who are lucky enough to have one.
9. PROLOG floor lamp - 1993
It seems that almost all pieces designed by Tord Bjorklund sell for a high price. We can put this down to his distinct design style and ability to combine practicality and aesthetics into one minimal, chic piece of furniture.
The PROLOG floor lamp was designed in 1993 and is recognizable by its distinctly individual shape. Its dramatic arched spine and contrasting materials make it a statement piece that will shine in any space of any style. Falling under the realm of postmodern design, the lamp is urban in its style, reflected by the angular metal rod and asymmetrical shade. Combined with the midcentury-inspired wood, it's a real example of IKEA's eclectic design history as it acknowledges the company's two most iconic phases.
We found a few of these lighting styles after searching online and almost all reach price points in the hundreds, which makes the PROLOG a highly prized piece that's skyrocketed in value.
With its distinct round spine and metal hardware, the PROLOG is a classic example of a lasting design that feels contemporary yet retro.
10. STORVIK- 2001
'The rattan lounge chair designed by Carl Ojerstam for Ikea is also a fan favorite for its unusual form and quality rattan design,' says Sophie from Vinterior. The unconventionally-shaped chair was in production from 2001-2005, making it one of the newer collector pieces.
The STORVIK chair was designed with both comfort and quality in mind. Winning the Red Dot award in 2002, it's clear the piece has been established in the design world for quite some time. Ojerstam utilized natural materials and designed the chair with a biomorphic approach, harmonizing function and nature into one soft and inviting form.
This is one of our favorites. It's a fun statement that still feels fresh and inspiring that would best suit a modern organic interior. Pair with a colorful cushion and minimal wall sconce and you've got yourself the perfect reading nook that will be hard to resist.
With its curved edges, the STORVIK has a laid-back quality that feels effortlessly cool. Although not old, the design is valued at over one thousand dollars, making it not only sought-after but pretty valuable!
IKEA is typically known for its affordable nature, so who would've thought that these pieces would reach such high sums? It proves that investing in good quality, stylish furniture is always a wise choice when it comes to lasting home design.
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